Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement Award Especially Sweet After Seven Year Wait
Wellington, FL (December 6, 2012) – The Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement Award is presented to up and coming young riders who excel in the show arena and go above and beyond in their duty to horses and horsemanship. During the Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) Fall Fling on November 11-12, 2012 the Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement award went to Ashley Walker and her horse World Class.
The Wellington rider had waited seven years to compete her aptly-named show partner, World Class, owned by Walker’s trainer, Kendra Kent. The 16.2-hand chestnut Hanoverian, better known at the barn as Tigger, is by Walt Disney (Weltmeyer), and was imported from Germany as a three-year-old before Kent purchased him a year later.
“This was a super important award because Tigger was off for seven years,” said Kent. “He had broken his coffin bone and withers in an accident. So it is such an awesome thing that he can go to horse shows and compete. He was a bit ‘up’ but Ashley rode consistently and helped him get through the test.”
“He can get high strung,” said his Walker. “You just have to keep reassuring him everything will be okay and he can get through the test. Then you have to give a lot, take a deep seat and hang on!”
The Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement Award winner was presented with a dressage saddle pad embroidered with the Everglades Dressage logo. Walker said the award will inspire her to continue riding and trying for the Juniors Test, and to continue to improve and move up the levels. “Worldclass had been off for seven years due to his injury,” Kent added. “This was his first show back. She was happy – we are all happy — just to be recognized.”
“I think Ashley set an excellent example in the way she didn’t give up, and ended up with a good show experience for herself and her horse. We are proud to sponsor the Young Rider Achievement Award and believe it is important to recognize outstanding young riders. They are the future of our sport,” said Bethany Peslar of Everglades Dressage.
Peslar was a successful Young Rider, and Team Silver medalist at the 1998 and 1999 North American Young Riders Championships, before earning her USDF Gold Medal in 2003 at age 21. She went on to win the 2006 reserve title in the National Young Adult Grand Prix Championship Brentina Cup, and remains a successful USEF High Performance Grand Prix competitor as well as Young Rider supporter.
Everglades Dressage is one of Wellington’s premier facilities and located next to the PBIEC show grounds. For more about Everglades Dressage, visit www.evergladesdressage.com
